Apparatus for and method of equipping swimming pools and the like with a tile band and cantilever deck

ABSTRACT

Concrete swimming pools are usually provided with a band of ceramic tile at the waterline and with a deck that overlies the pool wall and tile band. The present invention is concerned with apparatus for and a method of equipping such pool with a band of tile and with a poured concrete cantilever deck. The apparatus includes an elongated holder in the form of a spring rod anchored intermediate its ends to the pool wall by a fulcrum effective to develop a bending moment thereabout urging the upper end portion of the holder toward the pool wall and against an elongated board structure to force the same into frictional engagement with the wall so as to be supported therealong. Such board structure selectively takes the form of a ledger board used in attaching the tile band to the pool wall and a form disposed along the tile band and against which the concrete deck is poured. The method includes the steps of attaching the holder intermediate its ends to the pool wall at a location below the ledger board, and then developing a bending moment about the attachment to urge the holder adjacent its upper end portion toward the pool wall and, in one instance, against the ledger board to force the latter into frictional engagement with the pool wall and, in another instance, to urge such upper end portion into engagement with the form to force the same into frictional engagement with the tile band so as to be supported therealong. The ledger board is removed after it has been used in attaching the tile band to the pool wall and before the form is located along the tile band, and the holder is shifted to an elevated position for purposes of holding the form but is attached to the pool wall at the same location in each instance.

United States Patent Stegmeier Sept. 9, 1975 [54] APPARATUS FOR ANDMETHOD OF EQUIPPING SWIMIVIING POOLS AND THE LIKE WITH A TILE BAND ANDCANTILEVER DECK Related US. Application Data Primary ExaminerAlfred C.Perham Attorney, Agent, or F irm-C. Michael Zimmerman, Esq.

[5 7] ABSTRACT Concrete swimming pools are usually provided with a bandof ceramic tile at the waterline and with a deck that overlies the poolwall and tile band. The present invention is concerned with apparatusfor and a method of equipping such pool with a band of tile and [63]Continuation-impart of S r. N 327,671, Jan, 29, with a poured concretecantilever deck. The apparatus 1973, and acontinuation-in-part of Ser.No. 299,207, includes an elongated holder in the form of a spring P 20,1972, Pat 31850903 and a rod anchored intermediate its ends to the poolwall by continuation-in-part of Seri No. 299,208, Sept. 20, a fulcrumeffective to develop a bending moment 1972 and a contmuanon'm'partthereabout urging the upper end portion of the holder of Sept 1972abandoned toward the pool wall and against an elongated board structureto force the same into frictional engagement [52] with the wall so as tobe supported therealong. Such Int Cl 2 E04B l/16 1 H02 board structureselectively takes the form of a ledger board used in attaching the tileband to the pool wall [58] held of Search 52/98 2 23 and a form disposedalong the tile band and against 9 which the concrete deck is poured. Themethod in- R 1 6 5 4/ cludes the steps of attaching the holderintermediate 35 31 29/428 its ends to the pool wall at a location belowthe ledger board, and then developing a bending moment about theattachment to ur e the holder adjacent its u er [56] References C'tedend portion toward th e pool wall and, in one insta ii e,

UNITED STATES PATENTS against the ledger board to force the latter intofric- 2,493,264 1/1950 Records 249/9 tional engagement with the poolwall and, in another 2,729,093 1/1956 y--- 52/390 X instance, to urgesuch upper end portion into engage- 2,750,647 6/1956 Kried 1. 249/19ment with the form to force the Same into frictional 2,887,867 5/1959Burchenal ct 52/388 X engagement with the tile band so as to besupported therealong. The ledger board is removed after it has 32,48,80110/1967 Deason 249mm 3 been used in attaching the tile band to the poolwall 3,526,070 9/197O Deason I 52/169 and before the form is locatedalong the tile band, and 3,588,082 6/197] 52/489 x the holder is shiftedto an elevated position for pur- 3,776,50l 12/1973 Loftin .1 249/2 posesof holding the form but is attached to the pool wall at the samelocation in each instance.

4 29 21 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures 59' f 6/ ise SHEET 1 n 5 PATENTEB 35?91975 PATENTED SE? 9 SHEET 3 0F 5 PATENTED SEP 9 SHEET 5 Fla/7 I I I I aAPPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF EQUIPPING SWIMMING POOLS AND THE LIKE WITH ATILE BAND AND CANTILEVER DECK RELATED APPLICATIONS The presentapplication is a continuation-in-part of copending patent application,Ser. No. 327,671, filed Jan. 29, 1973, and of applications, Ser. Nos.299,207, now US. Pat. No. 3,850,403 299,208, now US Pat. No. 3,850,404and 299,209, each filed Oct. 20, 1972 and now abandoned; and thedisclosures of such copending patent applications are incorportatedherein by this reference thereto,

This invention relates to swimming pools and the construction thereofand, more particularly, to concrete swimming pools and to apparatus forand a method of equipping such pools and the like with a tile band atthe waterline and with a poured concrete cantilever deck that overhangsthe pool wall and tile band therealong.

As explained in one or more of the aforementioned copending patentapplications, a vast number of swimming pools are constructed today by agunnite process in which cement, aggregate, and water are mixed at anozzle and ejected toward a stop structure against which the concretebuilds to form the requisite wall thickness. To a great extent, the stopstructure constitutes the earthen mass defining the boundaries of theexcavation made for the pool, and a network of steel reinforcing bars isusually erected therealong for purposes of being embedded within thepool walls to reinforce the same. The walls of the pool usually have athickness of approximately four inches except that the upwardlyextending wallsare enlarged adjacent their upper edge portions to alateral width of about twelve inches to define what is referred to inthe industry as a bond beam.

After the concrete walls have cured sufficiently, a band of ceramic tileis attached to the wall along the upper edge portion thereof, and thepurpose of such band of tile is to provide a hard, stain-resistant wallsurface at the waterline of the pool to enable body oils and otherdebris that collect along the waterline and adhere to the pool wallthereat to be cleaned readily therefrom, which the tile permits whereasthe more porous concrete would become stained and resist cleaning. Afterthe tile band has been attached, a mold form is positioned therealongsuch that a configurated surface portion of the form projects upwardlyabove the tile and defines the inner boundary of the pool deck againstwhich the concrete is poured which cures to define the deck. When theconcrete deck has cured sufficiently, the mold form is removed and thedeck may then be provided with a surface texture of any conventionaltype. Finally, the inner surface of the concrete pool walls below theband of tile are covered with a finish coating which is essentially anadmixture of cement and sand and is referred to in the industry as aplaster finish.

A number of difficulties are incident to providing the band of tilealong the pool wall, and these difficulties including maintaining thetile in a planar disposition (i.e,, obviating surface waves therealong)and establishing a proper elevation so that the upper edge of the tileband is in close proximity to the upper edge of the pool wall but doesnot project thereabove which can cause the tile to be cracked anddisplaced from the pool wall upon movement of the deck as a consequenceof thermal expansions and contractions thereof, moisture-induced heavingof the earthen mass supporting the deck in part, temblors, etc. Sincethe gunnite poolforming process is relatively crude as respects theestablishment of finite dimensions and elevations, it is usuallynecessary for a workman to fill in depressions along the upper surfaceof the bond beam after or as the tile is attached to the pool wall tomake sure that no portion of the tile projects above the upper surfaceof the wall and bond beam, and also to smooth the inner surface of thepool wall to which the tile band is attached by filling depressions andby chipping out projections in an effort to have the tile maintain agenerally planar progression along the pool wall.

Problems can also develop in use of the forms unless steps are taken toobviate the consequences of the large quantities of water used about thebond beam to wet the same prior to the deck being poured and to compactand wet the soil bordering the bond beam along the outer extremitiesthereof and over which the concrete is also poured. The same problem ofmoisture is further aggravated by pouring the concrete deck itselfbecause of the moisture and chemical slurries present in the concreteand especially in wet or highslump concrete.

In view of all of the foregoing, an object of the present invention isto provide an improved apparatus for and method of equipping a swimmingpool or the like with a tile band and with a poured concrete deck whichin the usual instance will be a cantilever deck having an overhangprojecting inwardly toward the center of the pool in overlying relationwith the pool wall and tile band therealong.

Further objects, among others, of the present invention are in theprovision of an elongated spring-type holder and fulcrum therefor toengage the holder intermediate the ends thereof and develop a bendingmoment along the holder and about the fulcrum effective to urge theupper end portion of the holder toward the pool wall and against anelongated board structure to force the latter toward frictionalengagement with the pool wall so as to be supported by the holdertherealong; an improved ledger board adapted to be held in positionalong the pool wall by the holder and usable in applying the tile bandto the pool wall; a backing wall member adapted to be removably securedto the ledger board and against which a concrete mass can be poured toprovide the pool wall with an outer surface along which the tile bandcan be attached, or which member is used to support tile componentsforming such band while they are secured in position along the poolwall; a holder and fulcrum arrangement selectively usable in supportingsuch ledger board in position along the pool wall and in supporting theform along the tile band while the concrete deck is poured; and a methodof equipping a swimming pool wall or the like with a band of tile andwith a cantilever deck, the method including attaching the holderintermediate the ends thereof to the pool wall at a location below theledger board and developing a bending moment about the attachmenteffective to resiliently urge the upper end portion of the holder towardthe pool wall and against the ledger board to force the latter intofrictional engagement with the pool wall and be supported therealong,thereafter removing the ledger board and elevating the holder to ahigher position for engagement with the mold form which has been placedalong the tile band, and developing a bending moment along the holderabout the same or previously-used point of attachment effective to urgethe upper end portion of the holder toward the pool wall and against themold form to force the same into frictional engagement with the tileband and be supported therealong.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention, especially asconcerns particular features and characteristics thereof, will becomeapparent as the specification continues.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a broken perspective view illustrating an embodiment of theinvention, the holder component being shown in association with a ledgerboard and backing wall member;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, transverse sectional view taken along the line2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a broken transverse sectional view taken.

along the line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a broken perspective view illustrating the backing wall memberand tile surfacing material in spaced apart relation;

FIG. 5 is a further enlarged, broken end view in elevation of thefulcrum illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a broken top plan view of the fulcrum taken along the line 6-6of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a broken perspective view, similar to that of FIG. 1,illustrating the holder in association with a form against which acantilever concrete deck is to be poured;

FIG. 8 is a broken longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 8-8of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a broken perspective view illustrating a modified fulcrumcomponent;

FIG. 10 is a broken vertical sectional view of the modified fulcrum andassociated side wall of a swimming pool wall;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the modified fulcrum shown in associationwith the reinforcing bars of the swimming pool wall;

FIG. 12 is a broken perspective view illustrating a further modifiedfulcrum in position in a swimming pool wall;

FIG. 13 is a broken perspective view showing the modified fulcrum ofFIG. 12 with a spring holder in association therewith prior to thefulcrum being tightened thereagainst;

FIG. 14 is a broken perspective view, similar to that of FIG. 3, butillustrating the modified fulcrum in operational engagement with thespring holder;

FIG. 15 is a broken vertical sectional view illustrating the springholder in functional association with a form in position for receipt ofa concrete mass poured thereagainst, the ledger bar shown in FIG. 1being interposed between the form and tile surfacing of the pool wall;

FIG. 16 is a broken vertical sectional view illustrating a modifiedspring holder in functional association with a modified backing wallmember;

FIG. 17 is a broken front view in elevation of the structural assemblyshown in FIG. 16; and

FIG. 18 is a broken perspective view, similar to that of FIG. 1, butillustrating a modified strap component for aligning the backing wallmember with respect to a pool wall.

The structural assemblage illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an upwardlyextending wall which, in particular terms, constitutes the generallyvertical wall of a swimming pool and is denoted in its entirety with thenumeral 20. Adjacent its upper end, the wall 20 is enlarged outwardly intransverse directions to provide a wall section generally known as abond beam which is designated with the numberal 21. Ordinarily, the poolwall 20 and bond beam 21 thereof are formed integrally, and they may befabricated by any conventional technique which usually entails a gunniteprocess in which concrete is spread against an earthen form havingreinforcing (not shown in FIG. 1 but see FIG. 9) bars positionedtherealong which are therefore embedded within the concrete after itcures to reinforce the same. The wall 20 adjacent the bond beam 21thereof is trimmed along its upper inner edge to form an upwardly andoutwardly inclined perimetric edge portion 22 which facilitatessubsequent steps in the tilesecuring process, as explained in detailhereinafter.

As respects fabrication of the pool and wall 20 thereof, it may becompletely conventional and forms no part of the present invention withthe exception of the inclined surface 25 which is not found in the usualpool construction. As is well known, the concrete walls of a pool areequipped along the upper edge thereof with a hard stain-resistivecoating that is usually ceramic tile. The band of tile is disposed atthe water line of the pool to prevent body oils and similar debris fromadhering tenaciously thereto which would be the case were a porousmaterial located along the waterline. Below the tile band, the concretepool wall is covered with a finishing material that is generallyreferred to as a plaster coating but comprises a coating of concretefinished to a smooth esthetically attractive appearance. The particulartile used to form the band thereof may constitute 6 inch squares, forexample, or mosaic tile sheets which comprise a plurality of relativelysmall ceramic tiles having spaces therebetween which ultimately will befilled with a suitable grout. Initially, the small mosaic tiles are heldin position with respect to each other by a porous fiber backing. Mosaictiles are illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, and are generally denotedwith the numeral 24 and the porous backing strip with the numeral 25.

As previously indicated, the present invention is concerned in part withpositioning the tile band with respect to the pool wall and withsecuring the tile thereto, and with providing the pool with a pouredconcrete deck along the upper surface of the pool wall and bond beam 21thereof. In this latter respect, swimming pools traditionally haverelatively wide decks disposed in bordering relation about the upperedge portion thereof which provide an attractive finish about the pool,that provide a walkway thereabout, and that also provide awater-collecting means by which water splashed from the pool isrecovered and returned directly to the pool or recirculated thereto viaa filter and heater. A popular deck used extensively in the constructionof swimming pools is a poured concrete cantilever deck having anoverhang that projects inwardly toward the center of the pool incovering relation with the side walls thereof, as indicated in FIG. 15.Both in the positioning of the tile 24 and subsequent pouring of acantilever deck, an elongated board structure is used which extendsalong the wall 20 with surface portions of the board structure disposedin facing relation therewith.

In the assemblage illustrated in FIG. 1, the elongated board structuretakes the form of a ledge board 26 which is disposed along the wall insubstantially horizontal disposition, as illustrated in this FIG. Theledger board 26 is supplied in elongated sections that are usually fromeight to ten feet in length and have a thickness approximating twoinches and a vertical height of six inches. The ledger board 26 in theparticular embodiment being considered is a reusable component and isfabricated of a resilient and flexible plastic material such aspolyethylene. The ledger board is also rectangular in cross section andhas essentially planar wall surfaces, with those opposite each otherbeing substantially parallel. The requisite number of ledger boardsections are disposed in end-to-end succession along the pool wall 20,and are bent in conformity with the configuration of the pool wall sincethey are relatively flexible. They can also be cut to any desired lengthby a knife or saw.

The ledger board 26 is disposed a predetermined distance downwardly fromthe highest elevation of the pool wall 20 and bond beam 21 thereof. Thespacing between such point along the bond beam and upper edge of theledger board 26 depends upon the vertical dimension of the particulartile being used which, in the usual instance, will be approximately sixinches. The ledger board 26 is removably held in place by a plural ityof longitudinally spaced holders 27 that are elongated components andare oriented in generally transverse relation with the ledger board, asshown in FIG. 1. Each holder 27 is rod-like in character and is anelongated spring formed, for example, from tempered steel. Each holderhas a lower end portion 28 located below the ledger board 26 inbearingjuxtaposition with the pool wall and, in the particular form ofthe invention being considered, in bearing relation with the wall, as ismost evident in FIGS. 7, I5, and 16. Each holder 27 projects upwardly toan elevation substantially above the upper edge of the ledger board 26and defines a handle-section 29 that enables the holder to be removedfrom engagement with the ledger board 26, as subsequently explained ingreater detail.

Each holder 27 is associated with a fulcrum component 30 that is securedalong the pool wall 20 intermediate the ledge board 26 and lower endportion 28 of the holder 27, as shown in FIG. I. The fulcrum 30 isfixedly related to the wall 20, and engages the holder 27 to force thesame toward the ledger board 26 to support the latter positionally alongthe wall 20. In this respect, the fulcrum 30 may be removably secured tothe wall 20 by any suitable means as, for example, by means of aquick-setting epoxy or other suitable adhesive. As shown in FIG. 1, theholder 30 may have a base 31 equipped with a plurality of spaced apartopenings 32, and an adhesive interposed between the surface of the poolwall 20 and base 31 of the holder 30 is pressed through the openings 32and defines a good adhesive securance between the fulcrum 30 and wall20. Many commercially available, quick-setting adhesives are suitablefor this purpose and, when used, the fulcrum 30 is readily removed bystriking the adhesive body either directly or indirectly through thebase 31 with one or more sharp hammer blows.

The fulcrum 30 engages the holder 27 intermediate the end portion 28thereof and ledger board 26, and forces the holder toward and intoengagement with the ledger board 26 to support the latter in positionalong the wall 20. The holder 27 may seat within the resilient ledgerboard 26, as is indicated in FIG. 1, and the holder 27 is advantageouslyequipped with a longitudinally extending cross bar 34 which may bewelded thereto, and has laterally turned end portions 35 adapted to diginto the ledger board, as shown in FIG. 1. The cross bar 34 may have atotal length of approximately twelve inches, and if successive holders27 are spaced apart longitudinally along the ledger board 26 byapproximately 18 inches center-to-center, the board 26 will be supportedby engagement with a holder 27 at six-inch intervals therealong.

The fulcrum 30 has a leg 36 extending outwardly from the base 31 ingenerally normal dispositonwith respect thereto, and the leg 36 isprovided with a plurality of openings therealong in the form of notchesor slots 37 respectively adapted to seat the associated holder 27therein. The particular notch 37 within which the holder is seated isselected so that the holder is forced by the fulcrum into tight bearingengagement with the ledger board 26. The ledger board may be preciselyadjusted to the appropriate elevation simply by grasping the handle 29of a holder 27 and displacing the holder transversely away from theledger board 26 to free the same, whereupon the ledger [board can beraised or lowered, as necessary, to enforce the proper correctionthereon. Accordingly, precise adjustment of the ledger board 26 isreadily accomplished with ease and facility.

in this reference, the ledger board 26 should have a relatively accuratehorizontal disposition because it is used to establish both theelevation and horizontal linearity of the tile 24. The procedure usuallyfollowed is to locate the highest position along the deck 21, measuredownwardly therefrom to establish the location of the bottom edge of thetile band 24 and upper edge of the ledger board 26, and draw a guidewire taut along the pool wall 20 at the proper elevation. The guide wireis carefully leveled so that an accurate reference line is definedthereby. Workmen thereafter bring each ledger board 26 into touchingengagement along the upper surface thereof with the guide wire, whichthereby de fines the reference for all of the ledger boards.

After the ledger boards are in place, a reference line (a chalk line,for example) is struck along the upper surface of the ledger boards 26 apredetermined distance from the pool wall 20 adequate to accommodate thethickness of the tile 24 and a backing wall member 38 used to supporttile, as subsequently described. The spacing between the wall and thechalk line is usually measured from the greatest outward protuberancealong the wall so that the tile will be perfectly straight and notdistrubed by irregularities appearing along the wall 20. It may beobserved that in certain instances the backing wall member 38 may beused not as a tile holder but as a form against which concrete is poureddirectly to fill the space between the inclined surface 22 of the walland backing wall member. In this instance, the chalk line along theupper edge of the ledger board 26 establishing the outer edge of thebacking wall 38 will be closer to the pool wall 20 since the thicknessof the tile 24 will not be accommodated.

The tile board 38 may be formed of various materials and have anyappropriate lengths as, for example, lengths of eight to ten feet. Theboards 38, which are placed along and supported upon the ledger boards26 and extend upwardly therefrom, are disposed in end-toend successionand may be cutwhen necessary to provide the requisite over-all length inany particular pool installation. As a specific example, the backingwall members 38 may be polystyrene such as styrofoam and beadboard orclosed-cell expanded polystyrene foam having a vertical dimension ofapproximately 6 /2 inches and a thickness of approximately inch.Expanded polystyrene of this character is sufficiently stiff in theassemblage illustrated in FIG. 1 to provide the functions desired, andis nevertheless adequately flexible to enable the members 38 to becurved in conformity with the configuration of the pool wall 20.

As respects bending of the members 38, it is desirable to providereinforcing at particular locations along the backing wall members 38 tomaintain the same in a straight-line disposition along linear stretchesof the pool wall 20 and to enforce a more accurate curvature thereonalong arcuate sections of the pool wall. Such reinforcing may include anelongated pressuresensitive tape strip 39 secured to the member 38 alongthe bottom edge thereof, and in the reference of the reinforcingcontributing to the uniformity of curvature when the member 38 is bent,the tape strip 39 is sometimes referred to as bending tape. A similartape strip 40 may be provided along the upper edge of the backing wallmember 38. Advantageously, the tape 39 is a double-faced,filamentreinforced tape which is relatively strong in tension because ofthe longitudinanally extending fiberglass or other filaments embeddedtherein, which therefore tends to prevent bulging (either inwardly oroutwardly) of the backing wall member 38 intermediate the plurality offasteners in the form of nails 41 used in conjunction with the tape 39to secure the member 38 along the ledger board 26. The nails 41 arepressed downwardly in the manner of toenailing' through the lower edgeof the backing wall member 38 which is relatively soft and into theledger board 26. The double-faced tape strip 39 is secured by thepressure-sensitive adhesive on one side thereof to the wall member 38and on the other side to the ledger board 26. Usually, the tape 39 willbe positioned along the backing wall members 38 when they are suppliedto the user who then removes the protective covering from the outer sideof the tape when ready to position the member 38 along the ledger board26. The tape, especially a filament tape, also serves to preventcracking and stretching of the backing wall member 38 along the longradius thereof as it is curved along the pool wall 20, but does notinhibit compression along the inner or shorter radius of any such curve.

Each backing wall member 38 may also be provided with a tape strip 40along its upper edge to serve the same function as the tape strip 39,and for this purpose the tape strip 40 can be a filament tape. However,in the assemblage illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the tape 40 is also usedto attach the tile sheets 24 to the backing wall member 38; and for thispurpose, the tape strip 40 is sufficiciently wide to have a downwardlyturned edge portion 40a that extends along the upper edge portion of theface of the backing wall member 38. For purposes of attaching the mosaictile sheets 24 to the wall member 38, the tape strips 40 may be adouble-faced, pressure-sensitive tape such as No. 415 industrial tapesold by the 3M Company of Minneapolis, Minn. In the case of adouble-faced tape constituting the strip 40, it will be apparent thatthe exposed surface thereof along the upper edge of the wall member 38is not necessarily used in the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1, butdoes perform an advantageous function in other forms of the invention,as explained hereinafter with reference to FIG. 18.

The backing wall members 38 along their lower edges are secured to theledger board 26, as previously explained, and they are stabilized orsupported in transverse directions adjacent their upper edge portions bysupport mechanism connected with each backing wall member 38 adjacentits upper end to relate the same positionally with respect to the poolwall 20. In the form shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, such support mechanismincludes a plurality of longitudinally spaced strap components 42operative between the backing wall members 38 and the holders 27. In theassemblage of FIG. 1, the strap components 42 are connected integrallywith the holders 27 through a support 44 disposed in generally parallelrelation with the pool wall 20 and backing wall member 38 in spacedrelation with the latter. The support 44 may take various forms, and inthe particular arrangement illustrated, it constitutes an elongatedhollow tube which may be a conventional /2 inch-diameter polyvinylchloride pipe. Such supports can be readily cut, when necessary, to therequisite lengths, and they are connected one to another in endto-endsuccession by couplings (not shown) provided for pipes of this type.

The supports 44 are arranged with the holders27 so as to be carriedthereby and, in this respect, each holder 27 is equipped along thehandle section 29 thereof with a concave or generally U-shaped receiver45 into which the support 44 seats. The receiver-45 is formed by bendingthe holder 27 into the desired configuration adjacent its upper end, asis most evident in FIG. 2. Also as seen in this Figure, the receiver 45may be slightly smaller across the mouth 46 thereof than the outerdiameter of the support 44 so that the support will be firmly confinedwithin the receiver 45 when pressed thereinto.

The strap components 42 include a relatively flat strap 47 equipped atone end with a fastener 48 adapted to seat upon and engage the support44, as illustrated most clearly in FIG. 3. The fasteners 48 areinverted, generally U-shaped spring clips having mouths 49 that may beslightly smaller than the supports 44 to enable the spring clips tofirmly engage the latter when positioned thereon. The spring fasteners48 may be welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the associated straps47, and the straps may be provided with a plurality of spaced apartapertures 50 therealong adapted to pass a nail 51 therethrough which ispressed into the backing wall member 38 to fixedly secure the strapthereto. It will be apparent that the location of the support 44 isfixed and is determined by the holders 27. Accordingly, the location ofthe upper edge portion of the backing wall member 38 at requisitepositions therealong can be maintained by pressing the nail 51 throughthe appropriate opening 50 so that the upper edge of the backing wallmember 38 will be essentially of linear or straight-line orientation. Asmany strap components 42 may be used as necessary to maintain thestraight-line disposition of the backing wall member; and shouldrealignment be required at any particular location, the nail 51 iswithdrawn thereat and repositioned therein through the appropriateaperture 50.

The structural assemblage illustrated in Flg. 1 is used after the poolwall 20 and bond beam 21 thereof have been formed, usually by a gunniteprocess, and the first step is for a workman to secure the variousanchors 30 at the appropriate locations therefor, which usually will beabout 14 inches below the upper surface of the bond beam 21 and at about16 to 18-inch spacing along the wall 20, although neither dimension isany sense critical. A workman first places a patch of adhesive on thewall 20 at each such location, and the base 31 of the fulcrum 30 is thenpressed into the adhesive to effect a good interconnection therewith. Asnoted hereinbefore, a quick-setting epoxy resin is advantageously usedfor the adhesive, and a specific example of such adhesive is one soldcommercially under the traade name Bondo. This adhesive sets in aboutten minutes and becomes guite brittle after it has hardened, acharacteristic which is used in removing the fulcrum 30, as subsequentlyexplained.

Once the fulcrums 30 are in position, the work man brings the ledgerboards 26 to the appropriate elevation, places one of the holders 27 inan opening 37 provided therefor in the fulcrum while gripping the handle29 of the holder to bend it away from the ledger board 26, and he thenreleases the holder 27 to enable the cross bar 34 thereof to engage theledger board and press it tightly into frictional engagement with thepool wall 20. This procedure is repeated at each location along the wall20 having a fulcrum 30 located thereat. Should the ledger board 26 beeither high or low with respect to the reference elevation therefor, theworkman flexes the holder 27 outwardly to release the cross bar 34 fromthe ledger board, thereby enabling the board to be raised or lowered tocorrectly position it after which it is held in such position by releaseof the holder 27 to permit re-engagement of the cross bar 34 thereofwith the ledger board.

As shown in FIG. 1, the holder 27 is engaged within an opening 37 of thefulcrum 30 at a location intermediate the surface of the pool wall 20and outer face of the ledger board 26 so that the spring-like resilienceof the holder causes it to engage the ledger board tightly along thelower edge thereof and actually depresses the ledger board tending toembed itself therein, as shown at 52. The turned end portions 35 of thecross bar 34 also embed themselves into the resilient ledger board 26 sothat a three-point engagement is defined of significant contact betweenthe ledger board and holder. This three-point contact is enhanced by thecontinuous engagement of the cross bar 34 with the ledger board 26intermediate the turned ends 35 of the cross bar. A general three-pointcontact occurs along the holder 27 since it engages at its lower end thewall 20, engages the fulcrum 30 a spaced distance thereabove, and thenengages the ledger board 26 and resiliently urges it into engagementwith the pool wall 20.

Once the ledger board 26 is properly positioned, a reference line isestablished along the upper surface thereof, as previously explained,and a workman removes the protective covering from the tape 39 to enablethe workman to position the backing wall member 38 in upwardly extendingrelation along the ledger board 26. The nails 41 are pressed through thebacking wall member 38 and into the ledger board 26, as shown in FIG. 1and as previously explained. The tubular supports 44 are placed withinthe receivers 45, and the strap components 42 have the fasteners 48thereof snapped into engagement with the support 44 at appropriatelocations therealong. Since the ledge board 26 provides a truehorizontal surface to which the backing wall member 38 is attached, thebacking wall member can be oriented in a vertical plane simply by use ofa square between the upper surface of the ledger board 26 and outer faceof the backing wall member. The nail fasteners 51 are then presseddownwardly into the upper surface of the backing wall member 38 throughan appropriately located opening 50 in the strap component. Thisprocedure is repeated wherever it is believed necessary to have a strapcomponent operative between the backing wall member 38 and pool wall 20via the holders 27 and supports 44. Readjustment of the backing wallmember 38 wherever required is accomplished by removing one or more ofthe nail fasteners 51 and re-engaging the same with the backing wallmember after it has been properly oriented.

The title units 24, whether large individual tiles or mosaic sheets, canbe secured in position along the backing wall member 38 at various timessuch as after the backing wall member 38 has been connected with thestrap components 42 in the manner described, or prior to the strapcomponents being connected with the backing wall member, or before thebacking wall member is positioned along and secured to the ledger board26. In any case, the interconnection of the tile 24 with the backingwall member 38 is effected by removing the protective covering from thetap 40 along the outer exposed faces thereof, and then pressing the tileunits or sheets into intimate contact with the tape. It will be evidentthat the tile units 25 will not be attached to the backing wall member38 in those cases in which it is being used as the backing member forconcrete poured into the space along the inclined face 22 of the poolwall and the backing wall member. In any case, once the backing wallmember 38 is properly secured in position, the space intermediate thebacking wall member and trimmed or inclined surface 22 of the pool wallis filled with concrete, usually quick-setting. The upper edge of thebacking wall member 38 is, evidently, a true horizontal line and istherefore usable as a guide which the workman may use as a reference fortroweling the fill to the proper level.

After the concrete fill has cured sufficiently, workmen remove the strapcomponents 42 from the backing wall member 38 and support 44, and removethe nails 41 to partially free the backing wall member from the ledgerboard 26. The depending edge portion 40a of the tape is then releasedfrom the tile components 24 at one location, and the backing wall member38 is then peeled from its engagement with the tile units so as to leavethe same remaining in attachment to the pool wall via the quick-settingfill.

The precise order in which the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 isdisassembled may depend, to a great extent, upon the preferences of anyparticular contractor or his workmen. That is to say, any particularworkman may desire to permit the ledger boards 26 to drop free or beremoved prior to the backing wall members being peeled from the tilesheets 24. If it is desired to follow such sequence, the workman simplyreleases the holders 27 after the support 44 and strap components 42have been removed in the manner previously explained. Release of eachholder 27 is effected by withdrawing the same from the associatedopening 37 in the fulcrum 30 as, for example, by pressing a knee againstthe holder below the fulcrum 30, while at the same time deflecting theholder away from the ledger board 26 to withdraw the cross bar 34therefrom, whereupon a slight lateral force applied to the holder willcause the same to exit the associated opening 37. The ledger boards 26are then free to drop from the backing wall members 38 or to be urgeddownwardly therefrom to initiate release of the tape 39. The backingwall members 38 are then completely free and unobstructed so that it isrelatively easy to initiate a peelingtype release thereof from the tilecomponents 24, which is preferred to obviate the possibility ofdistrubing the bond between the tile and concrete fill (not shown inFIG. 1) which usually has only commenced to strengthen because of theeconomic advantage of completing the tile-mounting and deckpouringprocedures as quickly as practicable.

The desribed procedure is that followed when the tile units 24 aresecured to the backing wall members 38, and are therefore secured inposition along the wall by filling the tapered cavity along the inclinedwall surface 22 of the bond beam 21. In the case in which the backingwall members 38 are used simply as a form to contain the concrete filland the tile units 24 are not supported along the backing wall members,the tile units are positioned in a separate operation after the ledgerboards 26 and backing wall members 38 have been removed, in the mannerpreviously described. In this type of construction technique, the tileunits 24 are mounted in a conventional manner using standard materialsand techniques as, for example, the use of conventional thin-setmaterials for this purpose. In this procedure, it usually will bedesirable to retain the ledger boards 26 in position along the pool wall20 so as to use such ledger boards as the reference or base to establishthe proper elevation of the tile units. Accordingly, the disassembly ofthe arrangement shown in FIG. 1 will usually entail only removal of thestrap components 42, supports 44, and nails 41, whereupon the backingwall members 38 can simply to lifted from the ledger boards 26 sincethere is essentially no bond between the poured concrete and backingwall members.

In any event, once the tile units 24 are in position along the pool wall20, the subsequent procedure in forming a cantilever deck along theupper edge of the pool wall and bond beam 21 thereof is illustrated inFIG. 7. Turning thereto in particular, it is seen that an elongatedboard structure 54 extends along the wall 20 with surface portionsdisposed in facing relation therewith. In more particular terms, theboard structure 54 is a form member against which a mass of concrete ispoured to form a cantilever pool deck similar to the deck 55 indicatedin phantom view of FIG. 15. The form 54 is a light-weight, bendablemember adapted to conform to arcuate configurations of the wall 20, andit may be fabricated from expanded polystyrene foam, as explained in myaforementioned patent applications and in an earlierfiled copendingpatent application, Ser. No. 761,726, filed Sept. 23, 1968, to whichreference may also be made for details concerning this form.

In brief summary, the form 54 has a base comprised of vertically spacedfeet 56-and 57 defined in part by a bending notch 58 locatedtherebetween. The feet 56 and 57 are adapted to be disposed in facingjuxtaposition with the tile units 24, and extending upwardly above thebase and above the surface of the bond beam 21 is a configurated orshaped area 59 against which the concrete mass is poured so that theoverhang of the cantilever deck has the shape imposed thereon of theconfigurated section 59 of the form 54. The notch 58 constitutes aremoval of material that facilitates bending the form both along insideand outside radii; and bending tape (not shown), for essentially thesame purposes as the bending tape 39 and 40 heretofore described, may belocated along the form 54 at appropriate locations whenever the form isto traverse curvatures along the pool wall 20.

For purposes of positioning the form members 54 (which are elongated andmay have lengths, for example, of from eight to twelve feet), the formsections are placed at the appropriate elevations in horizontaldisposition along the tile units 24, and each holder 27 is engaged withan opening 37 in the associted fulcrum 30 with the cross bar 34 disposeda spaced distance above the lower edge of the form so as to urge thelatter into engagement with the tile. It will be apparent that theholders 27 will be raised to a higher elevation than that employed tosecure the ledger boards 26 in position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, sincethe form 54 is located at a higher position along the pool wall 20. Anopening 37 is selected in each fulcrum 30 so that the lower end portionof the holder 27 is located intermediate the wall 20 and outer surfaceof the form 54 so that the requisite holding force is developed by eachholder 27. Such force causes the holder to embed itself slightly intothe form 54 along the lower outer edge thereof, as shown at 60 in FIG.7, and the end portions 35 of the holder embed themselves into the format a location above the indentation 60. Thus, each holder 27 defines athree-point engagement with the form 54 to fixedly hold the same in itsappropriate location along the pool wall, and the cross bar 34 engagesand further reinforces the form intermediate the turned end portions 35of the cross bar.

The forms 54 are disposed in end-to-end succession about the pool wall20, and should repositioning of any form 54 (either throughout itsentire length or at selected locations therealong) be required, aworkman simply grasps the appropriate holder 27 at the handle portion 29thereof to deflect the holder away from the form, thereby releasing thelatter to enable it to be raised or lowered, as the case may be,whereupon it is constrained in its location by releasing the holder sothat it again engages the form in supporting relation. If desired, andwhere appropriate, the forms 54 may be further confined along theirupper edges for purposes of reinforcing and/or straightening the same byintroducing wedges or spacers in the opening or gap between each holder27 and the upper edge of the form 54. Such spacers may be of any typesuch as the aforementioned tubular supports 44 which are simply droppedinto the gaps intermediatethe upper edge of the form and the successiveholders 27, as shown in FIG. 7. Use of the supports 44 provides acontinuous reinforcement of the forms 54 along the entire lengthsthereof.

After the forms 54 are set, a water-stop or seal structure 61 isinserted into position in overlying relation with the upper edge of thetile band defined by the successive tile units 24 and in overlyingrelation with the concrete body 62 intermediate the inclined surface 22of the pool wall 20 and inner surface of the tile band, as shown in FIG.7. The sealstructure 61 is fixedly secured to the bond beam 21 includingthe filler section 62 thereon by a mastic body 64 that overlies theconcrete and seal structure along the contiguous surfaces thereof. Themastic 64 bonds itself tightly to both the concrete and'seal structure,the latter of which may be a plastic component fabricated from polyvinylchloride, and it maybe an elastomeric material such as polyurethanepoured or otherwise spread as a liquid which quickly cures to form asolid though resilient bond sealingly interconnecting the concretemassand structure 61. The seal structure 61 and mastic 64 per se form nopart of the present invention, and they are disclosed in my issued US.Pat. No. 3,605,357, to which reference may be made for further detailsconcerning the same.

It sometimes may be desirable to interconnect the seal structure 61 andform 54 along the adjacent edges thereof by a band of mastic 65 whichbond establishes an interconnection between the form and concrete bondbeam 21 via the seal structure 61 and mastic body 64 and tends toinhibit downward migration of liquids from the wet concrete mass pouredagainst the form 54 and of the water used to wet the bond beam andearthen mass thereabout prior to the concrete deck being formed. Themastic body 65 may be the same as the body 64, and it is also disclosedin my aforementioned U.S. Pat. No, 3,605,357. It should be observedherein, however, that the holders 27 establish a confin ing force ofsufficient magnitude against the forms 54 to obviate the holdingadvantages of the mastic body 65 during a concrete pour. After the forms54 are in place and the seal structure 61 appropriately positioned, asheretofore explained, the concrete deck (see the deck 55 in FIG. ispoured against the forms in overlying relation with the bond beam 21,seal structure 61, and tile band 24. The poured deck is then tamped andtroweled, and after it has cured sufficiently to be selfsustaining, theforms 54 are removed. Thereafter, the deck is provided with a surfacefinish in a conventional manner such as a broomed or roughened surfacetexture having a covering of heat-resistive surface material known asKool Deck, etc.

Removal of the forms is accomplished quickly and easily simply byreleasing each holder 27 from the form and from its associated fulcrum30, in the manner previously described. The supports 44 may first beremoved or simply permitted to fall to the bottom of the pool during theholder-removal step. The forms 54 are then essentially free and may fallfrom position since there is no substantial adherence between theconcrete and configured surface 59 of the forms. Should the mastic body65 be used, it may tend to hold each form in position, thereby requiringa workman to initiate form-separation. Since the seal structure 61 inthe particular embodiment shown has a break-away tear strip associatedtherewith, it may be removed concurrently with the form 54 in the mannerdisclosed in my aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,605,357.

Each fulcrum 30 is then removed from the wall 20, which is readilyaccomplished by delivering impact to the adhesive mass 66 (see FIG. 6)such as by striking a chisel held against the adhesive mass. Theadhesive is brittle, and therefore shatters readily so that one or moresharp blows is sufficient to remove each fulcrum 30 and the adhesivepatch. Each fulcrum 30 may be recovered for reuse in a subsequentinstallation, and the same is true of each holder 27, the tubes 44, andthe strap components 42. The ledger boards 26 are intended for reuse, aspreviously explained, and the backing wall members 38 and form members54 may or may not be reused depending uponthc amount of damage theretoand the desires of any particular contractor. After all of thecomponents have been removed and the pool cleared, the wall 20 is coatedbelow the tile band 24 and to approximately the thickness thereof with aconcrete finish referred to as plaster, all in the manner conventionaland well known in the art.

The fulcrums 30 heretofore described are set in position along the wall20 after the wall has been constructed, but fulcrums may be provided aspart of the wall-forming process. An example of fulcrums of this type isillustrated in FIGS. 9 through 11, and a description of such modifiedfulcrums will now be presented with particular reference to theseFigures. In this respect, FIG. 9 depicts a typical gunnite pool wall 20ahaving the usual thickness of approximately four inches and provided atits upper end portion with an enlargement of about twelve inchesdefining the bond beam 21a. Before the concrete is ejected intoposition, a reinforcing network of steel bars is disposed and tied inposition in the usual manner, and such network of reinforcing barsincludes horizontally disposed bars 67 and vertically disposed bars 68.Although the backing against which the concrete is ejected constitutesthe earthen fill defining the cavity of the pool for the most part, itis conventional to provide a backing or batter board 69 establishing theouter edge of the bond beam 21a, and this backing board is held in placeby a plurality of stakes 70.

The modified fulcrum has the same general characteristics as the fulcrum30 heretofore described, and for this reason the same numerals are usedto identify respectively corresponding elements thereof except that thesuffix a has been used with the modified fulcrum for purposes ofspecific differentiation. Thus, the fulcrum 30a is seen to be providedwith a leg 36a having a generally normal orientation relative to thepool wall 201:, and the leg has a plurality of slot-type openings 37athercalong which are angled outwardly in the manner of the openings 37shown in FIG. 6 to facilitate positioning and anchorage of the holders27 in such openings. At its inner end, the leg 36a is equipped with ahook-shaped base 31a of generally C-shaped configuration having a recess32a defined thereby of sufficient size to seat a vertical reinforcingbar 68 therein.

The fulcrums 30a may be mounted before the concrete wall 20a isconstructed, and such mounting is effected simply by seating eachfulcrum upon a generally horizontal bar 67 to establish the verticallocation of the fulcrum with an upwardly extending reinforcing barseated within the recess 32a to confine the fulcrum at the selectedlocation. When the concrete is then ejected from the gunnite nozzle inthe usual manner, each fulcrum 30a has an inner end portion thereofembedded within the concrete so as to be held firmly thereby, as shownin FIG. 10. The gunnited concrete sets very rapidly, as is well knownand one of the advantages of this procedure, and the fulcrums 30a may beused whenever the concrete is sufficiently cured for all other purposes.In any event, the strain imparted to the fulcrum 30a by an associatedholder 27 tends to be transmitted through the leg 36a directly to thereinforc ing bars of the concrete.

The modified fulcrums 30a may be formed from various materials such asplastic or aluminum that do not rust or tend to bleed through theplaster finishing coating applied to the wall 20a, as previouslyexplained. In the form shown, the fulcrums 30a are made from plasticmaterials such as polyvinyl chloride, and after they have performedtheir function, they are cut or broken off adjacent the outer surface ofthe pool wall 200, thereby leaving a portion of each fulcrum permanentlyembedded in the concrete wall but covered with the plaster coating (notshown).

A further modified fulcrum is illustrated in FIGS. 12 through 14, andalthough it is similar to the fulcrum 30a in the sense that it isembedded within the concrete pool wall, it is inserted thereintofollowing or as a part of the gunnite process and is not connecteddirectly to the reinforcing bars of the concrete. For convenience, thesame numerals with the suffix 1; added thereto are used to identify theelements respectively corresponding to those of the fulcrums 30 and 30apreviously described.

The modified fulcrum 30b is in the form of a generally U-shaped wireloop having spaced legs 36b establishing an opening 37b therebetween.The terminii of the legs 37b may be turned laterally to form hooks 31b.The fulcrum 3017 must have bleed-resistive characteristics so that thefinished pool wall is not stained thereby, and it must be sufficientlystrong and malleable to enable it to be twisted into engagement with anassociated holder 27, as shown in FIG. 14, the twisted portion of thefulcrum being denoted with the numeral 71 and being enforced thereon bya suitable lever arm implement such as a long nail 72. A materialsuitable for the fulcrum 30b is aluminum wire.

The holders 30!; may be inserted intothe concrete wall either by simplypressing the fulcrum thereinto before it has cured sufficiently toresist penetation, and any concrete tending to be displaced by suchinsertion is simply smoothed along the outer wall surface adjacent thepoints of penetration. In some instances, it may be advantageous toinsert the holder at a slight angle from the horizontal dispositionillustrated and then rotate the fulcrum a few degrees after insertion sothat the ends 31b engage a mass of concrete which will provide apositive abutment constraining the fulcrum against withdrawal from thewall. Another technique that may be used to insert each holder 31b is toform a small cavity 74 in the wall while the concrete is still uncuredas by inserting a stiff tool into the concrete to displace the samelaterally. For example, a short length of reinforcing bar or similartype instrument may be placed against the concrete wall and strucksharply with a hammer to drive the instrument into the wall to thedesired depth. Thereafter, the fulcrum 30b is inserted into the cavity74, which is then refilled with a concrete filler 75 that is pressedinto the cavity by hand and may constitute a small mass of gunnitedconcrete. In either instance, the holder 30b is embedded directly intothe concrete wall 2012 which, after it has cured sufficiently, resistswithdrawal of the fulcrum 30b.

In use of the fulcrum 30b, a holder 27 is inserted into the opening 37bbetween the legs 3617 (as shown in FIG. 13), and the wire then twistedby means of the levertype implement 72 to draw the holder 27 into tightfrictional engagement with the pool wall 20b and with the particularboard structure with which it is being used. Considering theprogressionrespectively illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7, the wire is first twistedsufficiently to cause the holder 27 to engage the ledger board 26 in themanner previously explained, and each holder may be manipulated torelease the ledger board for adjustment purposes in the same manner aswith the fulcrums 30 and 30a. When the holder 27 is subsequentlyelevated to a location to engage-the form 54, the fulcrum 30b may befurther twisted to tighten the same against the holder 27 and force thelatter into frictional engagementwith the wall 20b and form 54.

After the tile-mounting and deck-pouring operations have been completedand the various components disassembled, as previously described, thelegs 36b of the holder 30b are severed adjacent the surface of the poolwall 20b so as to be substantially flush therewith. The pool wall 20b isthen provided with a plaster finish, as previously described, thatoverlies the leg portions of the holder 30b that remain embedded in theconcrete pool wall 20b. Since the holder 30b is formed of aluminum (orother comparable material that does not rust or bleed through), thepresence of the fulcrum legs creates no esthetic or functional problems.

In some localities, the building codes require a different amount ofoverhang for a cantilever deck depend ing upon whether the deck is for adomestic or public swimming pool a greater overhang being required forthe latter. A difference in the vertical thickness of the deck may alsobe required as between these two types of pool constructions. The moldform 54 illustrated in FIG. 7 and the manner in which it is disposedwith respect to the pool wall 20 and tile band 24 is generallyapplicable to domestic pools, whereas the modifled form 54' shown inFIG. 15 and its positional relationship with the pool wall generallydepicts a public pool construction. In FIG. 15, the same numerals areused to identify all of the pool, holder, fulcrum, and any othercomponents as those used in FIGS. 1 through 8 because all of suchcomponents may be identical. On the other hand, the form itself issomewhat different as is its positional relationship with the pool wall20, and the primed form of the same numerals is used to identify theserespectively corresponding components.

The overhang of the deck 55 is approximatelly two inches greater thanthe overhang of the deck (not shown) configurated and defined by theform 54. This additional 2 inch-overhang can be obtained by insertingthe ledger board 26 intermediate the tile strip 24 and legs 56' and 57of the form 54', as shown in FIG. 15. The form 54' is otherwise held inplace by the various holders 27 in the same manner as previouslyexplained with reference to the form 54, and the holding 1 forceimparted to the form 54 by each holder 27 is adequate also to confinethe ledger board 26 in position. The upper edge of the form 54 may bealigned and reinforced, if necessary, by insertion of the supports 44intermediate the form and upper end portions of the holders 27, as shownin FIG. 15. The seal structure 61 is used in the same manner asheretofore explained, in association with the mastic 64 (and 65 whenused) except that the depending flange of the seal structure is locatedintermediate the tile strip 24 and facing juxtaposed surface of theledger board 26, rather than intermediate the tile and adjacent surfaceof the leg 57 of the form 54 as in FIG. 7. Assembly and disassembly ofthe arrangement illustrated in FIG. 15, and the preceding operationillustrated in FIG. 1 in which the tile strip 24 is properly located,are the same as previously described and need not be further considered.

A modified holder, backing wall member, and support mechanism areillustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17 and will now be described the primed formof the same numerals being used where appropriate to identifyrespectively corresponding components because of their generalsimilarity with those heretofore considered in detail.

The modified backing wall member 38 has a somewhat U-shapedconfiguration, although turned on its side, and has laterally projectingledges or edge portions 76 and 77 that are generally parallel and may becontinuous (as shown in FIG. 17) or discontinuous components spacedlongitudinally along the length of the member 38. In either instance,the edge portions 76 and 77 have apertures therethrough atlongitudinally spaced locations. In this respect, the edge portion 76seats upon the ledger board 26 and is secured thereto by nail fasteners41' that extend through such openings in the edge portion and penetratethe ledger board in the manner of the nails 41 heretofore considered.The openings in the edge portion 77 at the top of the backing wallmember 38 are adapted to receive the downwardly turned legs or ends 51of straps 47 form ing a part of the modified strap components 42. Themodified strap components 42 are associated with anchors 45' mountedupon the modified upper end or handle portion 29 of the hollders 27'.The anchors 45 have an opening therethrough that slidably receives theholder 27 and is fixedly secured thereto at any selected locationtherealong by a set screw 46 equipped with a relatively large head toenable the same to be readily manipulated.

The anchor 45' further has an opening therethrough offset from theholder-receiving opening and disposed in transverse relation therewiththat slidably passes the strap 47' therethrough which, in the formshown, is of cylindrical or wire-like configuration. The strap 47 can besecured in any adjusted location relative to the anchor 45 by means ofaset screw 48 having an enlarged head to facilitate its manipulation. Itwill be evident that the modified holder 27' does not require the presence of the recess-type anchor 45 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and that theanchor constitutes the functional equivalent thereof referenced to themodified support component 42.

The modified backing wall member 38 is a strong and relatively rigidmember that can be curved to conform the same to arcuate pool walls. Itis sufficiently strong to resist bowing between successive nailfasteners 41, and does not require the use of bending tape to resistundesirable elongation along the side of greater radius when curved. Themembers 38' may be formed from various materials, the synthetic plasticssuch as polyvinyl chloride being advantageously used. The mosaic tile orother tile components 24 may be at tached to the backing member 38 inthe manner heretofore described using a tape strip 40 having a dependingedge portion, as previously explained. t

The assemblage shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 is used in essentially the samemanner as the assemblage shown in FIG. 1, the ledger boards 26 firstbeing positioned at the properIelevation in end tQ-end succession bycoaction of the modified holders 27 therewith and with theirrespectively associated fulcrums 30. The tile-.

equipped members 38 are then disposed along the upper surface of theledger boards 26 in alignment with the line established for thispurpose, and they are se 18 77 of the member 38",, and the set screw 46is then tightened to fixedly locate the anchor 45 along the handleportion 29' of the holder 27 It will be apparent that precise alignmentof eaclh holder with an opening in the edge portion 77 is not requiredsince the anchor 45.is free to rotate adjustably along the holder 27 aswell as to move vertically therealong. The upper edge of the member 38can then be adjusted and fixed in any position of adjustment to obtainthe requisite vertical disposition by moving'the: strap 47' relative tothe anchor 45 and then securing the strap in the proper location bymeans of the set screw 48.

Disassembly is effected much in the manner heretofore described, byreleasing the strap component 42' from the member 38', and then removingeach of the holders 27. The nail fasteners 41 are then removed,whereupon the ledger board 26 is freed from the board 38 which may thenbe peeled from the tile strip 24. The backing wall member 38 is intendedto be reused in the form thereof depicted in FIGS. 16 and 17.

A further modification in the strap component is illustrated in FIG. 18,and it is shown in association with the structural assemblageillustrated in FIG. 1, wherefore the same numerals are used to identifyrespectively corresponding components wherever appropriate. In themodified arrangement of FIG. 18, the tubular support 44 is providedalong the upwardly facing segment of the outer surface thereof with adouble-faced, pressure-sensitive tape strip 78 which is advantageouslycontinuous along the length of the support or may be segmented anddisposed at appropriate locations therealong. A plurality oflongitudinally spaced support mechanisms in the form of strap components79 are located along the support 44 and backing wall member 38, and aresecured to each by being pressed into engagement with the upwardlyfacing pressure-sensitive surfaces of the tape strips 40 and 78. Thestrips 79 are relatively stiff and rigid, thereby firmly relating thebacking wall member 38 to the support 44 and pool wall 20. The strapcomponents 79 may be metal, plastic, wood, or any other sufficientlystiff material, and a specific example of one that provides satisfactoryresults is polystyrene foam constituting, for example, pieces of backingwall member 38 which may be broken into suitable lengths for thispurpose.

The modified strap components 79 are advantageously used because theyare quickly and easily assembled anddisassembled, are simple, and can bepositioned wherever necessary or desirable. Once in position, theyestablish a firm support for the backing wall member 38, and they may beloosened and reposi tioned for adjustment purposes for proper alignmentof the backing wall member, all as previously explained.

In all forms of the invention, the holders 27 are adjustablypositionable relative to their associated fulcrums to provide whateverholding force is necessary in application of the particular elongatedboard structure with which they are being used. The lower ends of theholders 27 may be relatively sharp, although they need not be pointed,to enable them to dig into the relatively rough surface of theassociated pool wall. The

holders establish an almost continuous engagement 19 r. theseprocedures, in the event that any pool contractor desires to follow avariant form of construction. The three-point engagement of the holders27 with each board structure, and especially with the form 54,constrains the same against tilting both upon initial installation andas the concrete deck is poured thereagainst. The holders and fulcrumsalso have the advantage of being essentially immune to environmentalproblems created by the presence of substantial quantities of moisturein and about the pool wall and bond beam thereof and which isnecessarily inherent in the wet concrete poured to form the pool deckespecially with a wet or high-slump concrete.

While in the foregoing specification embodiments of the invention havebeen set forth in considerable detail for purposes of making a completedisclosure thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatnumerous changes may be made therein without departing from the spiritor principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with an upwardly extending swimming pool wall and thelike: an elongated board structure extending along said wall withsurface portions disposed in facing relation therewith; an elongatedholder oriented in generally transverse relation with said boardstructure and having an end portion located therebelow in bearingjuxtaposition with said wall; and a fulcrum secured along said wallintermediate said board structure and holder end portion and engagingsaid holder to force the same toward said board structure to support thelatter in position along said wall, said holder being a spring componentproviding a spring force along the length thereof effective to develop abending moment about said fulcrum to force the holder toward said boardstructure as aforesaid.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which said holder has a cross barfixedly related thereto intermediate the ends thereof to engage suchboard structure.

3. The combination of claim 2 in which the outer end portions of saidcross bar are turned laterally to enable the same to become embedded insaid board structure.

4. The combination of claim 1 in which said fulcrum extends outwardlyfrom said wall and provides an opening through which said holder extendsto establish the engagement therewith as aforesaid.

5. The combination of claim 4 in which said holder has a cross barfixedly related thereto intermediate the ends thereof to engage suchboard structure.

6. The combination of claim 5 in which the outer end portions of saidcross bar are turned laterally to enable the same to become embedded insaid board structure.

7. In combination with an upwardly extending swimming pool wall and thelike: an elongated board structure extending along said wall withsurface portions disposed in facing relation therewith; an elongatedholder oriented in generally transverse relation with said boardstructure and having an end portion located therebelow in bearingjuxtaposition with said wall; and

a fulcrum secured along said wall intermediate said 6 g I strapcomponent being connected with said backing board structure and holderend portion and engaging said holder to force the same toward said boardstructure to support the latter in position along said wall, said holderbeing equipped adjacent one end thereof with anchor means forcooperative engagement with strap mechanism to connect the same withsaid holder said anchor means comprising a body slidably mounted on saidholder and equipped with releasable. friction means for selectivelyadjusting the position of said body along said holder.

8. In combination with an upwardly extending swimming pool wall and thelike: an elongated board strue ture extending along said wall withsurface portions disposed in facing relation therewith; an elongatedholder' oriented in generally transverse relation with said boardstructure and having an end portion located therebelow in bearingjuxtaposition with said wall; and a fulcrum secured along said wallintermediate said board structure and holder end portion and engagingsaid holder to force the same toward said board structure to support thelatter in position along said wall, said board structure being a ledgerboard extending along said wall a spaced distance downwardly from theupper edge thereof; a backing wall member supported upon said ledgerboard and extending upwardly therefrom; and support mechanism connected.with said backing wall member adjacent the upper end portion thereof torelate the same positionally with respect to said pool wall. I

9. The combination of claim 8 and further comprising means forreleasably securing said backing wall member to said ledger board atpredetermined locations therealong. I

10. The combination of claim 8 in which said backing wall member is abendable foam plastic structure equipped along the upper and lower edgeportions thereof with bending tape effective to resist substantialelongation of the backing wall member therealong on the side of longerradius upon bending of the backing wall member along any curved sectionof said wall.

11. The combination of claim 8 and further comprising a plurality oftile units supported along said backing wall member intermediate thesame and said wall.

12. The combination of claim II in which said tile units are adhesivelyand releasably secured to said backing wall member.

13. The combination of claim 12 and further ineluding an elongated stripof double-faced pressuresensitive tape extending along said backing wallmember adjacent the upper edge portion thereof and defining theaforesaid adhesive seeurance of said tile units to said backing wallmember.

14. The combination of claim 8 in whieh said support means, and in whichsaid strap component is connected with said anchor means.

16. The' combination of claim 15 in which said'anchor means areintegralwith said holder and provide a support-receiving seat, andfurther including a support seated within said seat and extending alongsaid backing wall member in spaced relation therewith, said wallmemberas aforesaid and with said support to effect therethrough theaforesaid connectionwithsaid holder.

17. The combination of claim 16 in which saidsupport and backing wallmember are provide with pressure-sensitive adhesive therealong, and inwhich said strap component is secured to each of said support andbacking wall member by said pressure-sensitive adhesive.

18. In a method of equipping a swimming pool wall and the like with aband of tile adjacent its upper edge and with a cantilever deckoverlying the wall in overhanging relation with the tile band, the stepsof: providing a ledger board and an elongated spring holder for securingsaid ledger board to the pool wall; locating said ledger board alongsaid pool wall at a predetermined elevation; attaching said holder tosaid pool wall and developing a bending moment about such attachmenteffective to urge said holder toward the pool wall and against saidledger board to force the latter into frictional engagement with thepool wall so as to be supported therealong; supporting a band of tilealong said ledger board in upwardly extending relation therewith andsecuring the tile in position along said pool wall; and releasing saidledger board from said holder and removing the ledger board from saidpool wall.

19. In a method of equipping a swimming pool wall and the like with aband of tile adjacent its upper edge and with a cantilever deckoverlying the wall in overhanging relation with the tile band, the stepsof: providing an elongated board structure and an elongated springholder for securing said board structure to the pool wall; locating saidboard structure along said pool wall at a predetermined elevation;attaching said holder to said pool wall and developing a bending momentabout such attachment effective to urge said holder toward the pool walland against said board structure to force the latter into frictionalengagement with the pool wall so as to be supported therealong; saidboard structure being an elongated form having a configurated portion inthe shape to be imposed thereby upon the overhanging edge portion ofsuch deck, locating said form along said wall to dispose theconfigurated form portion thereabove; and after a concrete mass has beenpoured against said form and cured sufficiently to be self-sustaining,releasing said form from said holder and removing the form and holder.

20. In a method of equipping a swimming pool wall and the like with aband of tile adjacent its upper edge and with a cantilever deckoverlying the wall in overhanging relation with the tile band, the stepsof: providing an elongated board structure and an elongated springholder for securing said board structure to the pool wall; locating saidboard structure along said pool wall at a predetermined elevation;attaching said holder to said pool wall and developing a bending momentabout such attachment effective to urge said holder toward the pool walland against said board structure to force the latter into frictionalengagement with the pool wall so as to be supported therealong; saidholder being attached intermediate the ends thereof to said pool wall ata location below said board structure, the bending moment about suchattachment being effective to urge the upper end portion of said holdertoward such pool wall.

21. The method of claim 20 in which said board structure is an elongatedledger board, and further providing an elongated form having aconfigurated portion in the shape to be imposed thereby upon theoverhang ing edge portion of such deck; supporting a band of tile alongsaid ledger board in upwardly extending relation therewith and securingthe tile in position along said pool wall; releasing said ledger boardfrom said holder and removing the ledger board from said pool wall;locating said form along said band of tile to dispose the configuratedform portion thereabove; moving said holder to a higher elevation forengagement with said form and attaching the holder intermediate the endsthereof to the same aforesaid location and developing a bending momentabout such attachment effective to urge the upper end portion of theholder toward said pool wall and against said form to force the latterinto frictional engagement with the tile band so as to be supportedtherealong; and after a concrete mass has been poured against said formand cured sufficiently to be self-sustaining, releasing said form fromsaid holder and removing the form and said holder.

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1. In combination with an upwardly extending swimming pool wall and thelike: an elongated board structure extending along said wall withsurface portions disposed in facing relation therewith; an elongatedholder oriented in generally transverse relation with said boardstructure and having an end portion located therebelow in bearingjuxtaposition with said wall; and a fulcrum secured along said wallintermediate said board structure and holder end portion and engagingsaid holder to force the same toward said board structure to support thelatter in position along said wall, said holder being a spring componentproviding a spring force along the length thereof effective to develop abending moment about said fulcrum to force the holder toward said boardstructure as aforesaid.
 2. The combination of claim 1 in which saidholder has a cross bar fixedly related thereto intermediate the endsthereof to engage such board structure.
 3. The combination of claim 2 inwhich the outer end portions of said cross bar are turned laterally toenable the same to become embedded in said board structure.
 4. Thecombination of claim 1 in which said fulcrum extends outwardly from saidwall and provides an opening through which said holder extends toestablish the engagement therewith as aforesaid.
 5. The combination ofclaim 4 in which said holder has a cross bar fixedly related theretointermediate the ends thereof to engage such board structure.
 6. Thecombination of claim 5 in which the outer end portions of said cross barare turned laterally to enable the same to become embedded in said boardstructure.
 7. In combination with an upwardly extending swimming poolwall and the like: an elongated board structure extending along saidwall with surface portions disposed in facing relation therewith; anelongated holder oriented in generally transverse relation with saidboard structure and having an end portion located therebelow in bearingjuxtaposition with said wall; and a fulcrum secured along said wallintermediate said board structure and holder end portion and engagingsaid holder to force the same toward said board structure to support thelatter in position along said wall, said holder being equipped adjacentone end thereof with anchor means for cooperative engagement with strapmechanism to connect the same with said holder said anchor meanscomprising a body slidably mounted on said holder and equipped withreleasable friction means for selectively adjusting the position of saidbody along said holder.
 8. In combination with an upwardly extendingswimming pool wall and the like: an elongated board structure extendingalong said wall with surface portions disposed in facing relationtherewith; an elongated holder oriented in generally transverse relationwith said board structure and having an end portion located therebelowin bearing juxtaposition with said wall; and a fulcrum secured alongsaid wall intermediate said board structure and holder end portion andengaging said holder to force the same toward said board structure tosupport the latter in position along said wall, said board structurebeing a ledger board extending along said wall a spaced distancedownwardly from the upper edge thereof; a backing wall member supportedupon said ledger board and extending upwardly therefrom; and supportmechanism connected with said backing wall member adjacent the upper endportion thereof to relate the same positionally with respect to saidpool wall.
 9. The combination of claim 8 and further comprising meansfor releasably securing said backing wall member to said ledger board atpredetermined locations therealong.
 10. The combination of claim 8 inwhich said backing wall member is a bendable foam plastic structureequipped along the upper and lower edge portions thereof with bendingtape effective to resist substantial elongation of the backing wallmember therealong on the side of longer radius upon bending of thebacking wall member along any curved section of said wall.
 11. Thecombination of claim 8 and further comprising a plurality of tile unitssupported along said backing wall member intermediate the same and saidwall.
 12. The combination of claim 11 in which said tile units areadhesively and releasably secured to said backing wall member.
 13. Thecombination of claim 12 and further including an elongated strIp ofdouble-faced pressure-sensitive tape extending along said backing wallmember adjacent the upper edge portion thereof and defining theaforesaid adhesive securance of said tile units to said backing wallmember.
 14. The combination of claim 8 in which said support mechanismincludes a strap component connected with said backing wall memberadjacent the upper edge portion thereof and with said holder to relatethe backing wall member to said wall as aforesaid.
 15. The combinationof claim 14 in which said holder is equipped adjacent one end thereofwith anchor means, and in which said strap component is connected withsaid anchor means.
 16. The combination of claim 15 in which said anchormeans are integral with said holder and provide a support-receivingseat, and further including a support seated within said seat andextending along said backing wall member in spaced relation therewith,said strap component being connected with said backing wall member asaforesaid and with said support to effect therethrough the aforesaidconnection with said holder.
 17. The combination of claim 16 in whichsaid support and backing wall member are provide with pressure-sensitiveadhesive therealong, and in which said strap component is secured toeach of said support and backing wall member by said pressure-sensitiveadhesive.
 18. In a method of equipping a swimming pool wall and the likewith a band of tile adjacent its upper edge and with a cantilever deckoverlying the wall in overhanging relation with the tile band, the stepsof: providing a ledger board and an elongated spring holder for securingsaid ledger board to the pool wall; locating said ledger board alongsaid pool wall at a predetermined elevation; attaching said holder tosaid pool wall and developing a bending moment about such attachmenteffective to urge said holder toward the pool wall and against saidledger board to force the latter into frictional engagement with thepool wall so as to be supported therealong; supporting a band of tilealong said ledger board in upwardly extending relation therewith andsecuring the tile in position along said pool wall; and releasing saidledger board from said holder and removing the ledger board from saidpool wall.
 19. In a method of equipping a swimming pool wall and thelike with a band of tile adjacent its upper edge and with a cantileverdeck overlying the wall in overhanging relation with the tile band, thesteps of: providing an elongated board structure and an elongated springholder for securing said board structure to the pool wall; locating saidboard structure along said pool wall at a predetermined elevation;attaching said holder to said pool wall and developing a bending momentabout such attachment effective to urge said holder toward the pool walland against said board structure to force the latter into frictionalengagement with the pool wall so as to be supported therealong; saidboard structure being an elongated form having a configurated portion inthe shape to be imposed thereby upon the overhanging edge portion ofsuch deck, locating said form along said wall to dispose theconfigurated form portion thereabove; and after a concrete mass has beenpoured against said form and cured sufficiently to be self-sustaining,releasing said form from said holder and removing the form and holder.20. IN A METHOD OF EQUIPPING A SWIMMING POOL WALL AND THE LIKE WITH ABAND OF TILE ADJACENT ITS UPPER EDGE AND WITH A CANTILEVER DECKOVERLYING THE WALL IN OVERHANGING RELATION WITH THE TILE BAND, THE STEPSOF: PROVIDING AN ELONGATED BOARD STRUCTURE AND AN ELONGATED SPRINGHOLDER FOR SECURING SAID BOARDTRUCSTRUCTURE TO THE POOL WALL, LOCATINGSAID BOARD STRUCTURE ALONG SAID POOL WALL AT A PREDETERMINED ELEVATION,ATTACHING SAID HOLDER TO SAID POOL WALL AND DEVELOPING A BENDING MOMENTABOUT SUCH ATTACHMENT EFFECTIVE TO URGE SAID HOLDER TOWARD THE POOL WALLAND AGAINST BOARD STRUCTURE TO FORCE THE LATTER INTO FRICTIONALENGAGEMENT WITH THE POOL WALL SO AS TO BE SUPPORTED THEREALONG, SAIDHOLDER BEING ATTACHED INTERMEDIATE BE THE ENDS THEREOF TO SAID POOL WALLAT A LOCATION BELOW SAID DATE BOARD STRUCTURE, THE BENDING MOMENT ABOUTSUCH ATTACHMENT BEING EFFECTIVE TO URGE THE UPPER END PORTION OF SAIDHOLDER TOWARD SUCH POOL WALL.
 21. THE METHOD OF CLAIM 20 IN WHICH SAIDBOARD STRUCTURE IS AN ELONGATED LEDGER BOARD, AND FURTHER PROVIDING ANELONGATED FORM HAVING A CONFIGURATED PORTION IN THE SHAPE TO BE IMPOSEDTHEREBY UPON THE OVERHANGING EDGE PORTION OF SUCH DECK, SUPPORTING ABAND OF ILE ALONG SAID LEDGER BOARD IN UPWARDLY EXTENDING RELATIONTHEREWITH AND SECURING THE TILE IN POSITION ALONG SAID POOL WALL,RELEASING SAID LEDGER BOARD FROM SAID HOLDER AND REMOVING THE LEDGERBOARD FROM SAID POOL WALL, LOCATING SAID FORM ALONG SAID BAND OF TILE TODISPOSE TH CONFIGURATED FORM PORTION THEREABOVE, MOVING SAID HOLDER TO AHIGHER ELEVATION FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID FORM AND ATTACHING THE HOLDERINTERMEDIATE THE ENDS THEREOF TO THE SAME AFORESAID LOCATION ANDDEVELOPING A BENDING MOMENT ABOUT SUCH ATTACH-SAID MENT EFFECTIVE TOURGE THE UPPER END PORTION OF THE HOLDER TOWARD SAID POOL WALL ANDAGAINST SAID FORM TO FORCE THE LATTER INTO FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITHTHE TILE BAND SO AS TO BE SUPPORTED THEREALONG, AND AFTER A CONCRETEMASS HAS BEEN POURED AGAINST SAID FORM AND CURED SUFFICIENTLY TO BESELF-SUSTAINING, RELEASING SAID FORM FROM SAID HOLDER AND REMOVING THEFORM AND SAID HOLDER.